Think Progress

Jenna distances herself from dad’s abstinence-only policy.

Asked if her new book’s advocacy of condoms and sex-ed contradicts the Bush administration’s abstinence-only policies, First Daughter Jenna Bush told ABC’s Diane Sawyer she refuses to endorse the views espoused by her father’s administration:

No, I mean, not at all, first, because I’m not part of the administration. You know, I’m just my father’s daughter. … I think that when we’re talking about keeping kids safe, and we’re talking about Ana and other kids that are living with HIV or other STDs … kids need to have education; they need to be educated in order to make the right decision for themselves.

In July, First Lady Laura Bush also rebuked her husband’s abstinence-only policies.




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40 Responses to “Jenna distances herself from dad’s abstinence-only policy.”

  1. Zimzone Says:

    God, if only Father Bush had practiced abstinence one night...


  2. Xisithrus Says:

    Wow [Waaa Oww]

    Talk [Tah el K] About [EH Bout] A [EH] Family [Fame Uh Lee] Of [OV] Flip [Fah Lip] Floppers [Fah Lah OP R Z]

    I have no idea what a conservative is anymore. Maybe Ben Ferguson can help me, seeing as he spent so much time in a mini-van listening to Limbaugh [Ha OHM Ska OOOL ING]


  3. gak Says:

    yea, well the dad/husband is a brainless suckup to psychotic religious fanatics. Good for Jenna and Laura if they refuse to be a doting follower of bush's cult.
    .


  4. Bad Eye Says:

    Hmmm...well, there goes Daddy Bush picking up the tab for the wedding...


  5. Trojan John Says:

    For some reason I was expecting to see some compromising photos and a story about tequila shots...


  6. Xisithrus Says:

    Dana Perino deemed it "an offensive question."
    [kidding]


  7. A Patriot Acting Says:

    What the people of this country should abstain from is this treasounous President and his sorely under qualified Administration


  8. Veritas Says:

    Guess Laura and Jena aren't living in "Bush's bubble" then?


  9. KYJurisDoctor Says:

    While I may agree with Bush on this policy, I bet you he did NOT abide by the policy himself!

    http://OsiSpeaks.com or http://OsiSpeaks.com or http://OsiSpeaks.org


  10. Veritas Says:

    Patriot Acting: I couldn't have said it better myself! Thumbs Up!


  11. A Patriot Acting Says:

    Maybe Dick Cheney could practice a little abstinence and stop f@cking the average American on a daily basis. There's not a strong enough spermacide in the known world to extinguish this demon seed.


  12. missmolly Says:

    I'm glad that Jenna and Laura can see more clearly than Dubya (is it possible to see LESS clearly?) that abstinence-only doesn't work.

    Abstinence is a good idea, and the benefits of abstinence should certainly be included in any sex education program (of course, the trolls will be in here soon clamoring that the "libruls" all want teens going at it like rabbits). However, telling teens not to have sex and figuring "that's it -- my job is done" is irresponsible. For generations, teens have been told not to have sex, and they do anyway.

    Teens can handle factual information. For instance, instead of telling teens "don't use condoms because they can fail", what's wrong with telling them the actual failure rate of condoms? And telling them that while abstinence has the best rate of avoiding pregnancy and STDs that a condom has a better track record of preventing these things than NOT using a condom? What's wrong with telling teens that withdrawal and post-coital douching are really bad methods of birth control? And that many methods of birth control do nothing to protect against STDs?

    Some people are so afraid to appear that they endorse teen sex that they figure it's better to adopt a moralistic tone and let the chips fall where they may.


  13. Xisithrus Says:

    Guess Laura and Jena aren’t living in “Bush’s bubble” then? -Veritas

    Look,[smirk] See, Karls job was to huff and to puff the necessary evil hot air to into...two..to keep that bubble inflated, See, when we, I talk about what we think, we are not talking about you [smirk], but we, see, Karl and me.


  14. neoconsrscum Says:

    Barney still believes in His pet chimp.


  15. Roger_Roger Says:

    I agree,

    We need to teach sex ed with abstinence teachings. Obviously abstinence is the very best way to not get an STD or get pregnent. With that said, we need to teach the young children that if they make a mistake and have sex, they need to learn how to do it as safe as properly.


  16. The Republic of Stupidity Says:

    Comment by O. Bigfoot — September 26, 2007 @ 10:23 am

    Hey, ya big, F-in' liar! Howza Neuticlesâ„¢ this am??? ;-D!!!

    Want me to copy yestreday's exchange into this thread, so's everyone can be reminded what a FAKE you are?


  17. cha cha cha Says:

    "George Bush is correct in that abstinence is the ONLY sure way to avoid unwanted pregnancy and disease, period."

    and staying in your house for the rest of your life is the ONLY sure way to avoid getting in a car accident. see how stupid both arguments are? especially once you factor in that one great unknown, reality.


  18. Derrick Says:

    Well it could have been worse, she could have spoken out in support for her dad's stand.


  19. Xisithrus Says:

    This is proof, however exaggerated, that people can have differing beliefs and actually still get along with each other, without the inane name calling and personal attacks so common on……liberal blogs. --Big Foot

    When I write a book called "Godless Conpervatives" then you may have a point.


  20. Xisithrus Says:

    “George Bush is correct in that abstinence is the ONLY sure way to avoid unwanted pregnancy and disease, period.”

    Neal Horsley had sex with animals and they didn't get pregnant!!

    [okay that was a bit outrageius, but its true]


  21. gulfwargrunt Says:

    Can any of the likely GOP nominees continue Bush's "abstinence only" policies without being a complete hypocrite? Maybe Romney (who I don't believe will get the nod - have you seen his numbers in the South?). Thompson - famous DC skirt chaser from 1986-2002. McCain - well, he's not getting the nomination. Giuliani - ha, that would be funny.


  22. AMcG773 Says:

    "With that said, we need to teach the young children that if they make a mistake and have sex, they need to learn how to do it as safe as properly."

    Why is having sex as a teen considered a mistake? Sorry, that's absurd. Sex is a natural human activity and as long as a teen is having sex responsibly, it's not a mistake, it's a choice.

    Somehow I seriously doubt that Jenna is a virgin. And I'll hazard a guess that 99.9% of TP commenters were not virgins until marriage and in fact lost their virginity as teenagers. Why do we try to tell teenagers that sex is wrong when we never believed it was wrong when we were teens?


  23. gummitch Says:

    This is proof, however exaggerated, that people can have differing beliefs and actually still get along with each other, without the inane name calling and personal attacks so common on……liberal blogs.

    Not so much name-calling on conservative blogs because liberals are simply banned. Of course, that simplifies the obligatory liberal-bashing that fills virtually every post. It's only at liberal blogs that there's enough tolerance to allow the sort of snide comment you should made.

    George Bush is correct in that abstinence is the ONLY sure way to avoid unwanted pregnancy and disease, period. This is backed up by medical doctors worldwide.

    The criticism is directed at the so-called "abstinence only" approach taken by "conservatives." Try to keep up.

    However, the reality is that in a culture such as ours, which currently promotes sex as a wholesome, non-binding, recreational activity, other methods must be considered as well. However, the other methods, condoms, birth control drugs, etc. are NOT 100% effective, that is proven fact.

    Comment by O. Bigfoot — September 26, 2007 @ 10:23 am

    You'll find that most cultures realize that humans are sexual beings, but if that makes you so uncomfortable, you're better off living somewhere like Saudi Arabia, where any "recreational" behavior is dealt with quite sternly.

    And, again with the failure to keep up, no one has *EVER* suggested that any birth control method is 100% effective. That's actually the whole point of birth control education, which you would know if you weren't so busy peddling your "conservative" agenda.


  24. gummitch Says:

    Somehow I seriously doubt that Jenna is a virgin. And I’ll hazard a guess that 99.9% of TP commenters were not virgins until marriage and in fact lost their virginity as teenagers. Why do we try to tell teenagers that sex is wrong when we never believed it was wrong when we were teens?

    Comment by AMcG773 — September 26, 2007 @ 10:59 am

    Guilty, guilty. Although I managed to just squeak by the "teens" thing, having had a miserable high school love life. Fortunately, I was still a teenager my freshman year of college and I did what I could to make up for the preceding years.

    "Conservatives" like to pretend that sex is purely for holy procreational purposes, solely within the bonds of marriage. Unless, of course, the old lady is dying of cancer or doesn't understand the appeal of diapers.


  25. Buckie Boy Says:

    Barny agrees with Georgie Poo, but only if he gets a doggy treat.
    Well at least the girls of that disfunctional family has a little common sense.

    Ignore teh "it"

    Buck Fush


  26. gummitch Says:

    Death is a natural human activity too, so as long as a teen is playing Russian roulette responsibly, it’s not a mistake either, it’s a choice?

    Comment by Rory — September 26, 2007 @ 11:30 am

    You hate sex that much?

    I'm sorry, but if you're competing for the stupidest comment made, the competition is pretty steep around here. It's not that yours wasn't a good effort but it was, well, lame.


  27. katy Says:

    Well it could have been worse, she could have spoken out in support for her dad’s stand.
    Comment by Derrick — September 26, 2007 @ 10:39 am

    REALLY !!! ... i say KUDOS to jenna...

    after all, if it weren't for polital reasons, dubya would agree...
    he knows who/what butters his bread...
    ...


  28. gummitch Says:

    No, I don’t hate sex at all. I’m simply testing the logic.

    Comment by Rory — September 26, 2007 @ 11:36 am

    It isn't "logic". You're attempting to equate normal human behavior with the end of life (which, for most of us, we only do once).


  29. Trojan John Says:

    Actually, AMcG773 above said: “Sex is a natural human activity and as long as a teen is having sex responsibly, it’s not a mistake, it’s a choice.” That’s the “logic” I was testing.

    Sorry, specious argument. You do not have a 1 in 6 chance of dying instantly from having sex.


  30. gummitch Says:

    Actually, AMcG773 above said: “Sex is a natural human activity and as long as a teen is having sex responsibly, it’s not a mistake, it’s a choice.” That’s the “logic” I was testing.

    Comment by Rory — September 26, 2007 @ 11:40 am

    You've failed to address the logic by inserting a ridiculous comparison.

    As noted by Trojan John, Russian Roulette and shtupping are non-equivalent.


  31. Luis M Says:

    Death is a natural human activity too.
    Comment by Rory — September 26, 2007 @ 11:30 am

    I don't think death can be considered an "activity". You've gotta be more clear if you're going to test the logic of the argument.


  32. turk fowler Says:

    Jenna is a genius. Why avoid a problem when you can put a condom on it...


  33. gummitch Says:

    I will check back later to see if I need to start proposing free helmets being handed out to kids or “How to Play Russian roulette responsibly” classes be taught in high school or lower grade levels too.

    Comment by Rory — September 26, 2007 @ 11:56 am

    We'll all hold our breath while waiting for your wisdom.


  34. missmolly Says:

    Death is a natural human activity too, so as long as a teen is playing Russian roulette responsibly, it’s not a mistake either, it’s a choice?

    Comment by Rory — September 26, 2007 @ 11:30 am

    To dismiss this as an extremely stupid comparison would be a sign of disrespect. So just in case there's a slim chance you meant this seriously, I'll explain the difference.

    There is an instinctive desire for sexual activity (for most of us, anyway) that's part of our makeup. If we didn't have that, our race would die out because nobody would have the desire to procreate. The object here isn't to create a generation of lifetime celibates, but to teach young people how to be...yes, responsible.

    There is no instinctive desire in our makeup to play Russian roulette. (If there is, it must have missed me somehow.) Nor do we need to have the urge to play Russian roulette to ensure the survival of the human race. Teens are not playing this stupid game in large numbers. If they were, then yes -- I would advocate a little education in this area.


  35. AMcG773 Says:

    Actually, AMcG773 above said: “Sex is a natural human activity and as long as a teen is having sex responsibly, it’s not a mistake, it’s a choice.” That’s the “logic” I was testing.

    Comment by Rory — September 26, 2007 @ 11:40 am

    How exactly does one play Russian Roulette "responsibly?"


  36. timotheus Says:

    There is an idiot on this thread trying to test the logic by equating sex, a natural human activity, with playing russian roulette.

    Why are people even responding to this idiocy?


  37. cha cha cha Says:

    using terms like "culture of death", "russian roulette", and "testing 'logic'" is a real easy way to get young people (and most other folks) to tune you out/stop listening to you. and that goes for most issues—because talking points are often irrelevant in the face of reality. you think someone who has $20 to their name is going to tell their friends "as soon as supply-side economics trickle down to me, we can go out to a bar for beer and wings and monday night football"? and do you really think parents in iowa are reciting anti-SCHIP talking points to their kids? if that kid doesn't have insurance, i can guarantee you that those parents are going to wonder about bush's promise to veto.


  38. graceart Says:

    I'll give her the benefit of the doubt and praise the fact that she doesnt follow her dad's "lead." She's stepping out of his shadows and going against him. Bush, is just full of crap and at least his daughter is just half sane.


  39. tombaker Says:

    ha! - because she's knocked up!


  40. barrelhse Says:

    And Barney? Where does he stand on the abstinence issue?



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